Fill your suitcase with goodies from the Scenic Rim, the surprisingly accessible hinterland region teeming with natural beauty and country delights.
Tucked behind the Gold Coast hinterland and less than an hour’s drive from Brisbane, the Scenic Rim is a region of abundant beauty. But lush valleys, epic mountains, and World Heritage rainforests are just part of the story. The Scenic Rim is also home to a vibrant art community, thriving agriculture, and charming towns with locals who love yarn. It’s little wonder it was named one of Lonely Planet’s top 10 regions to visit in 2022 – there’s so much to do.
When Covid brought the 2020 Scenic Rim Eat Local Festival to a halt, piles of fresh produce had nowhere to go. In stepped local whiz Genevieve Windley, who started packing boxes to the brim with regional goodies. Scenic Rim Farm Boxes remain a hit to this day and are a great way to support local farmers.
Stroll through the stunning grounds of Elderflower Farm. Classic heirloom blooms are grown on-site and are for sale in a rustic, heritage shed full of floral curios.
Set in the picturesque town of Mount Alford, this family-owned brewery produces premium craft beers named after local larrikins. The signature beer is Beauty & Blue, a seasonal ale infused with locally grown Beaudesert blue pumpkins.
Stop at this Homestead Cafe to enjoy a camel-milk gelato, feed the camels, and discover the benefits of camel-milk skincare and haircare products.
Consisting of a cellar door, restaurant, and gift shop overlooking a vineyard and lavender fields, Kooroomba is a picturesque place to stock up on lavender-infused beauty products and gourmet treats, such as local honey and wine.
EXPERIENCES
Lay of the land
For contemporary art featuring local landscapes, make an appointment to visit the Beechmont studio of Dave Groom, the grandson of pioneering conservationist Arthur Groom, who co-founded the nearby Binna Burra Lodge in 1933.
Loving local eats
Kicking off the first week of the Queensland mid-year school holidays, Scenic Rim Eat Local Week showcases the region’s tastiest food and wine. Eat your way through festivals, farm-gate events, and other culinary experiences.
Caffeine fix
Visit Tamborine Mountain Coffee Plantation to see how coffee is grown and produced. A combination of clear mountain air and careful roasting produces coffee that stacks up against any growing region around the world.
This article originally appeared on Escape and do not necessarily represent the views of australiaexploring.com
